Value Chain Analysis of the Street Food Enterprises in the Rural Towns of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

This study sought to analyse the value chain of foods sold by street food vendors in the Vhembe district town of Limpopo province. Data were collected using mixed methods, including structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face interviews. Analyses of the value chain activities and actors were conducted among the stages of street food production. Overall, the enterprise sold commonly consumed street foods such as porridge, chicken, beef, and local vegetables, targeting government employees, school children, and daily town visitors. The value chain analysis showed that street food activity in the Vhembe district included purchasing, storage, production, and consumption. The main actors involved in the value activities of the street food enterprise were inputs suppliers, formal and informal traders, transporters, local authorities, and customers. The profit margin calculation highlighted that street food vendors purchasing inputs from the informal vendors without any added expense could make more profit than using formal traders. Future policy interventions should promote value addition along the food sold in the street, providing cold storage facilities closer to street vendors\u27 stalls in the towns to encourage continued and safe production. The most prioritised production constraints should be addressed, such as access to finance, government support, and managerial skills

Micronutrient fortification of food and its impact on woman and child health: A systematic review

Background: Vitamins and minerals are essential for growth and metabolism. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 billion people are deficient in key vitamins and minerals. Groups most vulnerable to these micronutrient deficiencies are pregnant and lactating women and young children, given their increased demands. Food fortification is one of the strategies that has been used safely and effectively to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies.Methods: A comprehensive search was done to identify all available evidence for the impact of fortification interventions. Studies were included if food was fortified with a single, dual or multiple micronutrients and impact of fortification was analyzed on the health outcomes and relevant biochemical indicators of women and children. We performed a meta-analysis of outcomes using Review Manager Software version 5.1.Results: Our systematic review identified 201 studies that we reviewed for outcomes of relevance. Fortification for children showed significant impacts on increasing serum micronutrient concentrations. Hematologic markers also improved, including hemoglobin concentrations, which showed a significant rise when food was fortified with vitamin A, iron and multiple micronutrients. Fortification with zinc had no significant adverse impact on hemoglobin levels. Multiple micronutrient fortification showed non-significant impacts on height for age, weight for age and weight for height Z-scores, although they showed positive trends. The results for fortification in women showed that calcium and vitamin D fortification had significant impacts in the post-menopausal age group. Iron fortification led to a significant increase in serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels in women of reproductive age and pregnant women. Folate fortification significantly reduced the incidence of congenital abnormalities like neural tube defects without increasing the incidence of twinning. The number of studies pooled for zinc and multiple micronutrients for women were few, though the evidence suggested benefit. There was a dearth of evidence for the impact of fortification strategies on morbidity and mortality outcomes in women and children.Conclusion: Fortification is potentially an effective strategy but evidence from the developing world is scarce. Programs need to assess the direct impact of fortification on morbidity and mortality

A Review: Spirulina a source of bioactive compounds and nutrition

The attainment of the nutrition related sustainable development goals (SDGs) is a challenge to South Africa. Part of the challenge is related to access to affordable nutrition by poor communities. Spirulina presents with nutritional benefits including 50 to 70% protein, and all essential amino acids in complete balance, 5 to 10% lipids and 10 to 20% carbohydrates, 10 vitamins especially vitamin B12 and pro-vitamin A (β-carotene), minerals such as iron and one of the few sources of dietary γ-linolenic acid (GLA). Health factors linked to Spirulina include anticarcinogenic, hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant properties. Spirulina is part of the cyanobacteria family of the Arthrospira species. The challenges that are there is to ensure that the isolates are pure and free from microbial, chemical and physical contamination during the cultivation phase. The cultivation is either in closed semi-continuous batch systems or open raceway that are prone to contamination from environmental elements. This paper highlights Spirulina use as a potential strategy to meet nutrition related Sustainable Development goals

Socioeconomic determinants influencing nutritional status of children in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province in South Africa

CITATION: Phooko-Rabodiba, D. A., et al. 2019. Socioeconomic determinants influencing nutritional status of children in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province in South Africa. Journal of Nutrition and Health, 5(1):01-07.The original publication is available at https://www.avensonline.orgSouth Africa has adequate food supplies to feed the entire population at national level. However, reports have shown evidence of under-nutrition among certain parts of the population due to lack of access. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between socioeconomic status of the household and the nutritional status of children one to twelve years (1-12 years) in Sekhukhune district of Limpopo Province. The study used exploratory designs. A structured interviewer-led questionnaire was used to determine socio-economic parameters and standard anthropometric procedures. All analyses were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. A total number of 180 mother-child pairs participated in the study. The sample distribution for children was 46.1% male and 53.9% females. Most mothers were unemployed and spent less than 500.00 ZAR (≈50 USD) per month to purchase food for the household. There was a high (39.6%) prevalence of stunting among children under the age of 60 months, a medium prevalence of underweight, and a low prevalence of wasting in all children. Most caregivers were overweight or obese. Maternal level of education and household income was significantly associated with anthropometric status indicators (p<0.05). This study revealed a high rate of unemployment, poor household income and purchasing power, and high level of food insecurity. This might have contributed to the high prevalence of stunting and a medium prevalence of underweight recorded in the study. There is urgent need to address basic needs to improve access to nutrient rich foods and health care.https://www.avensonline.org/fulltextarticles/JNH-2469-4185-05-0039.html#Title-infoPublisher's versio